Friday, April 26, 2013

The Call

It's Friday morning, 5th April. I return to my desk at the day job from a coffee run to see an email in my inbox titled 'Harper Impulse submission'.

My heart starts thumping wildly. It's only been three weeks since I submitted to Harper Impulse, the brand new imprint from Harper Collins, but I've heard via the grapevine that the editors had an acquisitions meeting...

I'm not too stressed. A sale would be a dream come true, but a rejection won't be the end of the world. If it's a rejection, then I plan to self-publish. I have a freelance editor on standby and a cover already designed.

I may not be anxious, but I can still scarcely breathe as I click open the email. It's two lines only. "Are you free today for a quick call? I'd love to chat further to you about your submission."

I've already had friends go through this, so I know editors don't just call to chat about your work. They call to buy.

I shoot back a reply. "Any time" and my mobile number. And I sit there trying to remember how to breathe.
It's 11:40am.

Then my phone beeps, reminding me the battery is running low. Just that morning I'd decided to let it run itself out before re-charging and its death is imminent. Oops.

I plug in the charger and naturally, for the first time ever, it won't take a charge. I run all over the office, trying all the plug points, swearing, sweating, as the phone refuses to charge. Thank heavens the rest of my team are out and there are no witnesses.

Finally, the screen lights up, the charge indicator starts to move, and I breathe a massive sigh of relief.

Just then the hair & make-up stylist who's doing prep for our next film shoot pops her head in my door, and I can scarcely manage a coherent conversation about aging make-up and contacts and hair extensions. She looks at me funny, so I say "I'm so excited! I'm about to get The Call!" Then I have to explain what The Call is.

As soon as the stylist leaves, I email the Minxes, because they're my soul sisters and they know exactly what The Call means. And because I don't want to be alone in this.

Then I make a toilet run, get pen and paper ready, make a list of points to discuss with the editor in case my brain stops working, get a glass of water ready, and ask the kitchen to keep me lunch. I don't plan to leave the desk where my phone is now plugged in and charging until that call comes in.
I'm ready.

Time ceases to have meaning, but I think it's about 12:15 when the phone rings.

Thank heavens for that list! I manage to have a sane and sensible conversation with the editor, even though my brain stops working after she utters the words "we'd like to offer you a two book deal."

Since the phone is still plugged into the charger, I spend the entire phone call bent down with my head practically between my knees. Which is probably a good position to be in when you take a call of this magnitude.

We talk royalties and contracts and covers, what the imprint is about, estimated release dates, and changes to the opening scene. We even talk about writing conferences and the editor's holiday on the South African coast. (Now that I'm typing up this story, I'm amazed I remember so much of the conversation!)

I even manage to mention the fact that Waking up in Vegas is in fact the first in a series of three. Three rings, three stories. Read the book when it goes on sale and you'll know what I mean.

When we hang up, I literally stand up and dance. And there may have been an air punch. Again, I'm truly grateful it's a quiet day at the office and I'm alone.

The rest of the afternoon was, needless to say, a write-off. It's hard to focus on everyday day job type stuff when you're floating a few feet off the ground.

So that's my Call Story. There's a great deal more that's happened since, but that'll have to wait for another blog post. Because I'm going off to dance some more.

36 comments:

  1. I couldn't be more thrilled for you, Romy! I can't wait to read your book and the others that will follow! CONGRATS!! :-)
    ~Olivia

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  2. Fabulous! So happy for you and can't wait to read it (when is it due for release?) xxx

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  3. Congratulation! And yay you for being so organized during "the call". Can't wait to read your book.

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  4. Congratulations Romy! Really delighted for you! Xx

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  5. FANTASTIC!!! So proud of you and so glad we get to share this with you!

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  6. Love your "Call" story, Romy! That's such wonderful, wonderful news. Sharing your joy and wishing you loads of sales with your new book. Can't wait to read it and fortunately, it's only two weeks to go!!!! (You and the ladies at Harper Impulse don't mess around, do you?) :)

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  7. Huge congrats! Am thrilled to be on the same team as you. And loving your gorgeous cover x

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  8. Congratulations! Wonderful things happening to a person who deserves it and more! xoxo

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  9. Huge congrats Romy!

    Both of your covers are gorgeous xx

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  10. Huge congrats, Romy!!! So much deserved.

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  11. Huge congrats, Romy!!! So much deserved.

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  12. Congratulations, Romy. You so deserve this success. You're on your way now!

    Cheers, Alexia

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  13. Fantastic news Romy... Can't wait to read all three! And you're in good hands with Kim Young and the team at Harper Impulse.

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  14. Massive congrats, Romy!! Wonderful news! :-)

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  15. So happy for you, Romy! Can't wait to read your book!! xx

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  16. Congratulations!! I look forward to reading your first Harper Impulse!

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  17. Well done, Romy! Such wonderful news :-)

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  18. Well done, Romy! Such wonderful news :-)

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  19. Fantastic news Romy - congratulations and what a great call story...I could see you racing round the office trying to charge the phone!

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  20. Oh, how wonderful, Romy - I'm so delighted for you and can just picture the excitement! Glad you mentioned the need to have a list ready in such circumstances.

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  21. Huge congrats, Romy!!! And I loved your call story!! ;-)

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  22. Wonderful story, Romy! I couldn't be more thrilled for you :) I said this to Sri and it bears repeating here, I knew--absolutely knew--when I was in my first crit group and you joined, that you were destined for lots and lots of success.

    Cannot wait to be able to download your newest success--not long now!

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  23. Huge congrats, Romy! So happy to share the excitement with you :)

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  24. Fantastic news, Romy! Really well done. xx

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  25. Congratulations!

    Oh, I do love a good call story. (You were far more organised than I was for mine.)

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  26. Congratulations! What a lovely post. I look forward to reading your book.

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  27. you have dreamed about this 4 so long and all the hours of hard work since, seeing you grow has been like watching the moon raise, most of the time i hardly notice but then one night u look up and u notice in a perfect "pink "full moon ( 26 April) and u realize everything has come together 4 that perfek moment in time well done Romy u are such an inspiration

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  28. you have dreamed about this 4 so long and all the hours of hard work since, seeing you grow has been like watching the moon raise, most of the time i hardly notice but then one night u look up and u notice in a perfect "pink "full moon ( 26 April) and u realize everything has come together 4 that perfek moment in time well done Romy u are such an inspiration

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  29. Fantastic news, Romy. Congratulations!

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  30. Words fail me...
    I just opened up my blog to see 30 comments!! And having read them, I want to cry.

    I'd love to reply to you all individually, but since I have books to write I'm just going to say I love you all, and thanks so much for the support!

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  31. Congratulations. Well done Romy.

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  32. Fantastic, Romy! I'm so happy for you.

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  33. So happy for you Romy!
    Many congratulations. Nina x

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  34. LOL! This reads like a chic-lit! So funny! I can just see you doing all of this! :-)

    Fabulous news!

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  35. That's a great story! Congratulations!

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